Simon Kirby, Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven is furious about plans to build a second outdoor swimming pool at the Peter Pan site on Madeira Drive in Brighton.
Mr Kirby has championed the renovation of the Art Deco, Grade II listed Saltdean Lido and in light of recent announcements that the funding is now secured, is calling on Brighton and Hove City Council to urgently rethink the proposal to allow a second outdoor pool in the city.
Following reports of the proposal, Mr Kirby said: “I am astounded at the complete lack of holistic thinking within the City Council regarding the development of the seafront and this proposed outdoor swimming pool. Only a few miles away is the Saltdean Lido which has already been awarded millions of pounds in funding, has an existing infrastructure, a huge amount of community support and a business plan that is viable for the long-term. The City Council itself awarded the lease to the Community Interest Company (CIC) which is now regenerating the Lido. This announcement makes no sense either for the tourism offer of the city.
“There are any number of uses that seafront sites could be put to – some of which have lain noticeably vacant for a number of years. It is astounding that in meetings with the CIC, City Council officials have never mentioned the Peter Pan proposal!
“The use of this site needs a complete rethink. I suggest the Council gets on with it.”
Rebecca Crook of the Saltdean Lido CIC, said: “It’s disappointing that Brighton Council officers have failed to share the information on the proposed development with us as two outdoor swimming pools within a 4 mile radius is most unusual and certainly will impact on both businesses.
“However, the Saltdean Lido project has local support has secured funding and will open next year as a heated outdoor pool. The bigger point is the lack of joined up thinking from the council in their approach to major projects across the city which continues to focus only on the seafront with outlying areas such as Saltdean left off the city’s tourism strategy”.
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